Multiple pump



April 18, 1950 c. c. s. LE CLAIR MULTIPLE PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 18, 1947 u I l I l .lllllllll April 18, 1950 c. "c. 5. LE CLAIR MULTIPLE PUMP Filed Juile 18, 1947 .a M Hi w l... 9 I a fl A 5 m April 18, 1950 c. c. 5. LE CLAIR 2,504,543

MULTIPLE PUMP Filed June 18, 1947 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 C. C- 5. LE CLAIR April 18, 1950 MULTIPLE PUMP Filed June 18, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 -April 18, I930 c. c. 5. LE CLAIR MULTIPLE PUIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 18, 1947 Patented Apr. 18, 1 950 U N l-TED PAT ENT E PUMP Camille Clare Sprankling Le Clair, Acton, London,-

England, assignor to Tecalemit Limited, Brentford; England, acorporation of Great Britain Application June s, 1947, Serial 1%.75'5346 In Greatliritain July 3, 1946 16 Glaims;

This invention relates to reciprocating plunger or piston pumps and more particularly to multiple pumps of the radial type adapted to deliver either solid or liquid lubricant or thixotropic areknown and these known types for the most part include a, number ofpump elementswhich,

are arranged radially around a rotary operating shaft which is provided with a commcnca'm apranged to operate the plunger of each pump element,, in turn. This construction, while being very compact and comprising a simple mechjanisrn suffers from the disadvantage'that there is. inevitably aconsiderable amountof side. thrust on-the pump plungers due to friction andalso to the, circumferential component of the cam thrust, particularly during the outward or discharge stroke of the plungers.

It is, accordingly, an object. of the present in? vention to provide a multiple pump of the type in which the .pump. elementsare arrangedradially. arounda central actuating shaftand in which side thruston theplungers;.is:reduced-or elimi: nated.

In accordance with the present invention-,a.

multiple plunger or piston pump comprises: a number ofindividual pump elements arranged in radial and circumierentially spaced relationship.

nection-withthe said driving member, is made to reciprocate so as to cause the plunger, or plungers, of the pump element, or set ofassociated' pump elements, to carry out its, or-their,

discharge and suction strokes, whereafter' theplunger-actuating member isagain turned so that it faces thesucceeding pump element, or set of associated pump elements,- and then repeat the cycle of operations Inone construct-ion, thesaid plunger-actuating member is causedto reciprocate towardand away from the pump plungers by adirect connection 2 with a driving shait'which is continuously rotated during the operation of the pump.

By a further operative connection with the driving shaft, which includes intermittently-- acting transition or indexing mechanism, the said plunger-actuating member is rotated consecu+ tively to face all the pump elements,'or', all'the; sets of associated pump elements, in, turn in readiness for its plunger-actuating reciprocating movement. Y

In this construction, the plunger-actuating member is slidably arranged in ahousing and reciprocated -'relati vely-to' the latter by a'crank-o r eccentric connectionwith the driving shaft. The

hqusing ismounted upon amember which is turnable around, and relativelyto, the driving shaft by indexing mechanism which obtains its movementfrom a driving member which is rotatable with the shaft and formspart of the said indexing mechanism. 'The latter is actuated intermittently and means-are provided for retainingthe housing in any; one plunger-operating position until it is required-to rotate the-said-housing into the next succeeding plunger-operating-position.

By arranging-thatthe actuating-member housing is brought to rest, or substantially to-rest,-

during all or the major part of the-time during-- which the plunger-actuating member is engaginga pumpplunger, or set of-associated plungers,

the side thrust or at least the greater part'of the- If desired, theplunger-actuating member maybe arranged to operate-- twoor more-pump elements-simultaneously at each stroke;

Furtherconstructional features oi the'lnvention will be described" inthe-following more detailed descriptionof two constructional forms of the multiple pump.

Two constructionalforms of the invention are shown, by way of example, on the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherecn:

Figure 1 is asectional elevation of pump construction;

Figure 2 is. a half sectional plan viewofthe pump on the-line A--A.in=-Figure1; theindexing one multimecham'sm being omitted from-the figure;

Figure 3 is a top plan of the pump actuatingbolt housing;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the pump actuating-bolt housing;

b Figure 5 is a perspective view of the actuatin Figures 6, 6A and 6B are all plan views of the indexing-mechanism on the line 3-3 in Figure 1, but showing the mechanism in three different operative positions;

Figures 7, 7A and 7B are plan views of the indexing-mechanism on the line AA in Figure 1, but showing the mechanism in three different operative positions;

Figures 8, 8A and 8B are plan views of the indexing mechanism on the line C C in Figure 1, but showing the mechanism three different operative positions;

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of multi-radial pump; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary section on the line D-D in Figure 9.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 8B:

The multiple pump comprises a substantially cylindrical outer base casing I arranged with its axis vertical and divided by a horizontal partition 2 at about its mid-height. The upper portion of the casing above the partition is open, forming the bottom of a reservoir for grease to be pumped.

The lower part of the outer casing l below the partition 2 is closed, forming an oil-tight reservoir 3 in which is housed the pump driving mechanism which is described hereinafter. A filling passage closed by a plug 4 is provided through which the reservoir can be filled with oil to lubricate the driving mechanism.

Within the reservoir 3 integral with the partition 2 and spaced from the wall of the outer casing, there is a concentrically arranged skirt or flange 5, to the bottom end of which a bottom plate 6 is attached by set screws 6a, the whole forming an inner chamber within which is arranged the step by step indexing mechanism, as will be described hereinafter. Holes 1 through the skirt or flange and the bottom plate permit the entry of oil fromthe reservoir 3 to lubricate the mechanism arranged within the inner chamber.

The partition 2 is formed with a central hollow boss 8 in which two axially-spaced ball bearings 9 and ID are fitted. A hollow sleeve H is turnably arranged in the ball bearings, and is formed atits upper end above the partition with a flange [2 on which a cylindrical housing 13 for a plunger-actuating bolt which will be described hereinafter, is mounted, a sealing ring it being provided between the flange and the upper face of the boss 8 on the partition. The housing I3 is made up of upper and lower parts l3a and l 3b fixed together by screws [30.

A central operating shaft I5 is rotatably mounted in two axially-spaced ball bearings I6 and ll of which the hearing it is fitted in the sleeve II, and the bearing I! in the bottom plate 6 of the inner chamber. A cup-shaped worm wheel member [8 is fixedly mounted upon the bottom end of the operating shaft 15 below the lower ball bearing H, the vertical rim IQ of the member surrounding the inner chamber and being provided externally with a number of worm teeth which are engaged with a worm 2|, see Fig. 2,- mounted upon a horizontal driving shaft 22 rotatably arranged in bearing --23 and 24 fitted in housings 25 and 26 mounted in the outer casing I. One end of the driving shaft 22 projects out of the casing through an oil-tight bush and is adapted to be driven by an electric motor, belt and pulley or other driving means not shown in the drawings.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 5, as viewed in plan, the above mentioned plunger-actuating bolt 21 is of T-shapdand is slidably mounted in the housing 13. The stem 28 of the bolt acts as a ram to actuate the pump plungers 29 and its upper, lower and side surfaces are slidably guided by inner surfaces of the housing. Referring also to Figs. 1 and 4, the cross part 30 of the bolt is also slidably engaged by the housing on its side, upper and lower faces, its side faces being provided with horizontal projecting ribs 3! which are slidable in grooves 32 formed within the housing. The housing thus forms a complete guide for the actuating bolt in its reciprocating movements at right angles to the axis of the operating shaft IS.

The cross part 30 of the bolt is formed on its underside with a longitudinal slot 33 in which is engaged a roller 34 mounted on a crank pin 35 carried by a flange 36 at the upper end of the operating shaft I5, the crank pin being offset from the axis of the shaft. Thus, when the shaft is rotated theroller 34 runs to and fro in the groove 33 and at the same time reciprocates the bolt relative to the housing l3. As mentioned above, the outer surface of the housing is cylindrical and the arrangement is such that the rounded end of the stem 28 of the bolt is substantially flush with this outer surface when the bolt is retracted to its innermost position within the housing.

The upper part of the outer casing above the horizontal partition is formed with two vertically spaced rows-of radial holes 38 which are also equidistantly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. A number of plunger pump units 31, which may, for example, be constructed like those described in my prior United States Patent No. 2,371,054, dated March 6, 1945, are mounted in the radial holes in a radial fashion. The radially-arranged plunger cylinders project into the space in the outer casing above the partition 2, their suction ports 38 communicate with the space, and the heads'39 of their pump plunger 29 are spring urged towards and abut upon the cylindrical surface of the housing 13.

Inthis particular construction, each row of pumps contains twelve individual pumps, each pump in the lower row being parallel to and immediately below the corresponding pump in the upper row. The outer face of the stem 28 of the actuating bolt 21 is of sufficient height to engage simultaneously the heads 39 of the plungers of two-superimposed pumps, one in each row.

The above mentioned indexing mechanism is used for rotating the actuating-bolt housing i3, and the bolt itself from one operative position in which the bolt faces two superimposed pumps to the succeeding position inwhich the bolt faces the next pair of superimposed pumps. Referrin toFigs. 1 and 6 to 8B, the mechanism comprises a two-armed rocker member 40, mounted on the lower face of the hollow sleeve ll carrying the bolt housing IS. A pivot pin. at the end of one arm and spaced from the axis of rotation of the rocker member, projects downwardly from the latter anda gear sector member .42 is pivotally mounted upon it. A roller 43, rotatably mounted on a pin 44 projecting upwardly from the upper ia a tt e ear sector and, spaced from thepiwot. axis; thereof is pulled into. engagement, with, the-periphery of a. cam 45. wh ch is fix on. the. operating shaft below the rocker member by means of a tension spring 46 connected between apin 41, fixed in the extremity of the second arm of he o k e and a u .8 on th sear sector 42.

Rotatably mounted on a hollow boss 49 forniing part of and projecting downwardly from the cam is a double-armed pawl carrying member 50. One arm 51 is in the form, of a gear wheel sector having. its axis coaxial with the axis of the sleeve upon which the pawl carrying member ismounted, and is formed with teeth 53 which en; gage with those of the aforesaid gear. sector ember 42, and the other arm HA is provided with a, downwardly projecting pin 54 upon, which is pivotally mounted a pawl 55 which sv urged by aspiring. 56 into engagement with one or another of. a number of recesses 51', Figs. 8 to 8B,v formed between the teeth 58 of a ratchet wheel 59 rigidly secured to the bottom plate 6 of the inner chamber. The ratchet wheel ha twelve notches and twelve teeth, corresponding to the number of pump, units, in each row, and the pawl 55 is so. arra ed that its carrying member is permitted to r tat in. t cl kwise direction. but. s, are; rented from rotating in the counterclockwise di ti n A retaining arm, 61) is pivotally mounted at one endbelow the gear sector 42 upon an extension of the pivot pin 4| upon which the gear sector 42 itselfi is-pivotally mounted. At its mid-length the retaining-arm carries a rolle 5| which is. pulled into resilient engagement with one of the notches 5'! between any two adjacent teeth 51! of the fixed ratchet wheel 59 by mean of a tension spring 62 connected between the free end of the arm and an extension of the pin 41 fixed in the extrernity of the second arm of the rocker member. The arrangement is such that when the roller al is engaged in a notch 51 in the ratchet wheel 59 the stem 28 of the actuating-bolt 21 is in line with one pair of vertically-superimposed pump plungers 29. The retaining arm and roller thus serve to locate the rocker member 4!! and with it the housing 13 and actuating-bolt 2'! in any of the twelve operative positions of the bolt, but the arrangement is'such that if sufficient force is. applied the retaining roller 6| can be forced to roll over the teeth of the fixed ratchet wheel, one tooth at a time, against the restraining action of its spring.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8B, in operation, the operating shaft I5 is rotated at a relatively low speed through the worm gear 20, 2|. During the time the operating shaft is making one complete revolution relative to the housing, the roller 34 on the operating shaft crank pin 35 engaging the slot, 33 in the actuating-bolt 21 will cause the latter to make one complete forward and backward stroke, thus imparting one delivery stroke and. permitting one suction stroke to one. pair of ver tically-superimposed pump plungers 29.

The cam 45, which rotates with the shaft l5, is so shaped and angularly positioned that. 5. Fig. 6, just before the above mentioned cycle of operations is completed the ascending face 451; of the cam engages the roller 43 on the, gear-sector member 42 and the latter is caused to rotate in the clockwise direction about the pin- 4|- against the action of the spring 46 holding the roller in engagement with the cam. Referring 9: 5918- '1, s; h ee hof the. ear sec or. are

epicyclicmanner, thereby. causing thepivot-Pin;

4 1 the rocker. member 40, thehollow. sleeve ll, the; housing I} and. the, actuating-bolt 21 to rotate in a ,clockrvisedirection, until it assumesthe-poesitionshown in Fig. 6A, The cam 45 is so shaped,- that the angular movement thus. imparted tothese members. just. corresponds to the angularmovementfrom-one notch 51 of the ratchet wheel 59.jto' the next. Asthere areas many teeth-58* on the ratchetwheel as, there are. pumps in each. row it. follows that, since;- theactuating-bolt; housing I 3.. is connected; to, therocker member 4p,the' actuating-bolt is brought into position to;-

operate. the next pairof vertically-superimposed; pump plungers, the roller 6 [of the retaining arm.

60, being compelled to riseover onetooth. in. the;

Artenthe tip =45b-of the cam rise has passed-thetroller. 43 onthe gear sector.- 42, as shown in Fig; 6a., the. roller,- engages the, descending face' 450;, otthe, cam, whichpermitsthe gearsector 42,

under the action-of its Spring 46, to rotate in;

the counterclockwise direction until it assumes; thepositionshownin Fig. 6B. This-motion of the gear sector causes the'pawl carry-inE-membem 5fl..t o .rotateclockwise-because in this case therev is no resistance due -to;th e. action of-thepawl 55, the Jatterbeingwithdrawn over one; tooth 580i. the ratchet wheel 59- and falling into the next; notch 51, seeEigs. ,7A-7B and BA -8B.

The. engagement of the retaining roller 5|, Figs.- 8 to 8B with ,the'ratohet wheel 59-is sum-- ciently positiveto holdthe-rocker member 40, on

which the gear, sector 42; is-pivoted, stationary.- duringthis movement of the pawl carrying mem ber; Hence, during thedescent'of the cam 45;

Figs; 6a6l 3,. and; throughout the remainder ofz. thev cycleoi operations until the base of the cam;

rise ,45a oncemore-engages-the gear sector roller 43,, as shown in. Fig. 6, no motion of the indexing mechanism takesplace, but-the crank pin- 35 and: the roller 34- attached-to, the: driving shaft I5;

effect adischarge and suction stroke of a pair: ofpumps as previously described;

Since the rocker -member;40-is attached to the:

hollow, sleeve.- H-in;,fixed--relationship with re-- spect to the actuatingebolt housing. l3:and since the ,cam -45--is mounted on the operating shaft 15 in-fixed relationship with'the crank pin- 35 and roller 34,.whioh,;-actuate theebolt 21, it follows.- that :the. indexing motion .to move the-bolt from oneipair of vertically-superimposed pumps to the the .next pair always :takes place at the same? phase in the cycle of. operations of the bolt, that isccmmencing justbefore and finishing just after-thebolt reaches. its-inner dead centre. In

other words, the rotational or indexing movementor the bolt housing [3. starts just before the inward return stroke-pf the bolt 21 is completcdandfi-nishes just after the outward stroke of=the;bolt,-to operate the-nextpair of vertically superimposeda'pumps has begun.

The heads-.39 ofvthe pump plungers' 29 are.nor-:- allx held bythaplungersprings in engagement:

with the .outer cylindricalsurfacehrtheactuatiliig-bo'lt housing (3, the only exceptions being those pump plungers which are in line with the bolt 27 and are being actuated by the latter.

Since the indexing movement starts just before the plunger inward or return stroke is completed and finishes just after the next outward stroke has begun, the actuating bolt must start to move sideways just before completing its stroke. Hence in order to avoid shock it is desirable that as it moves clear of a pair of plungers the face of the bolt should be just flush with the outer surface of the housing as mentioned above.

mthough when the plunger heads 39 are engaging the outer surface of the bolt housing 13 the loads on the plunger springs are not great, nevertheless twenty-four such plungers pressing upon the housing do impose an appreciable total frictional load. The effect of this friction on each plunger is also to impose a side thrust. It is true that the side thrust is only small, and that it occurs only at or near the end of the pump stroke when the plunger is stationary, or nearly so, and. not throughout the length of the stroke as occurs in known pumps of this type. Nevertheless, it is the object of this invention to eliminate'side thrust entirely. Hence, in a modified construction, retaining flanges are provided which are adapted to engage the plunger heads 39 and hold them clear of the cylindrical surface of the actuating bolt housing 13, and also, of course, clear of the actuating bolt stem .28 during the transition. movement from one pair of pumps to the next. Referring to Fig. 9, the flange for engaging the lower row of pumps may be constituted by an upward extension In of the central boss 8 of the partition 2, and the flange for engaging the upper row of pumps may be constituted by a downwardly-extending rim 1 l formed round the inner edge of an annular apertured member 12 mounted in the upper part of the pump outer base casing.

As has been stated above, the top of the outer base casing is open, and, preferably it is fitted with a cylindrical extension 13, which, together with the upper part of the outer base casing above the partition 2, forms a reservoir for the grease or other lubricant to be pumped. The above mentioned sealing ring 14 arranged between the flange on the rotatable hollow sleeve. 11 and the upper surface of the central boss 8 on the partition prevents the lubricant in the upper part penetrating through and becomingmixed with the oil in the lower part wherein the: driving and indexing mechanisms are situated.

Other forms of indexing mechanism may be: used, and a modification of the invention will: now be described in which an indexing mecha-- nism of planetary type is used.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 10, this construction differs from that which has been described above in a number of respects. The hollow sleeve Ha. carrying the actuating-bolt housing l3a is madeof suflicient length to extend right through the inner chamber and is rotatably supported in a ball bearing 14 which is mounted in the central. boss 80. of the partition 2a, and a lower ball hear-- ing Ha which is mounted in the bottom plate-.- 6a. of the inner chamber, the plate preferablybeing integral with the skirt or flange a forming the side wall of the chamber.

The pump operating shaft l5a is rotatably' mounted within the hollow sleeve Ila, by means: of ball bearings 15 and 15a fitted adjacent to the top and bottom ends of the sleeve. At its upper end the shaft He carries a crank pin 35a and. a roller 34a thereon adapted to actuate the:

actuating-bolt 21a, as in the previously-described construction. At its lower end the shaft carries a worm wheel l9a having teeth a and which is driven by a worm 21a on the driving shaft 220. 5 also in the manner described above.

The skirt or wall of the inner chamber 501., which again may be formed with holes 5b for lightening purposes is formed with an external spurring 11 which in this particular case has 10 48 teeth. An arm 18 is fixedly attached to the bottom end of the rotatable hollow sleeve Ha and carries at its free end a pin 19 on which a planet pinion 80 is rotatably arranged. This pinion is divided axially into two zones, the lower 15 of which has eight teeth 80a which mesh with the teeth of the spur ring 11 on the inner chamher. In the upper zone of the pinion, however, every alternate tooth, is cut away leaving four spaced teeth 80b The inner surface of the rim l9a of the worm wheel engages both zones of the planet pinion. Facing the upper zone the rim is formed with a plain cylindrical internal face 8| which, by engaging an adjacent pair of the four teeth 80b 25 in' the upper zone of the pinion, prevents the latter from turning. Four teeth 82 adjacent to one another are, however, cut in the inner surface of the worm wheel rim, the depth of these teeth being equal to the full depth of the planet wheel and thus engaging both zones of the latter. Except where these teeth occur, the lower part of the rim is cut away so as to clear the teeth in the lower zone of the pinion.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows.

Since the plain cylindrical part 8| of its rim is ciear of the teeth 80a of the lower zone of the planet pinion it follows that as the worm wheel rotates, no drive is thereby transmitted to the planet pinion. Moreover, the plain cylindrical part 81 of the rim engaging two teeth in the upper zone of the planet pinion acts as a positive lock for the latter.

When, however, the set of four teeth 82 in the rim of the worm wheel reaches the planet pinion, the recesses between these teeth provide clearance for the teeth a in the upper zone of the planet pinion thus freeing it of its lock and allowing it to be rotated by the teeth 82 in the lower part of the rim [9a which engage the teeth :so 8011. in the lower zone of the planet pinion. Consequently, as the planet pinion is rotated, it rolls round the spur ring 11 in epicyclic fashion by an amount corresponding to four teeth, or, in other words, it covers a twelfth of a revolution,

or 30. The planet pinion being mounted on the arm 18 thus acts to turn the hollow sleeve Ila and the housing l3a for the actuating-bolt 21a .by this amount, bringing the face of the bolt rstemopposite to a fresh pair of vertically-supernmfirnposed pumps.

The movement of the housing and bolt stops when the four teeth 82 on the rim of the worm zwheel have passed beyond the planet pinion, which latter will again be locked against rotation mrwby the engagement of the plain cylindrical surface -8l of the upper zone of the worm wheel rim with 'two of its teeth. Further rotation of the worm wheel merely continues to rotate the operating shaft l5a, which causes the actuating bolt 27b 21a, to make an inward and outward stroke to operate the appropriate pair of vertically-superimposed pumps.

As in the previously described construction,

there is a fixed relationship between the position .75 of the four teeth 82 on the inner rim of the worm .9 wheel, which effect the indexing movement from one pump piston to the next, and the position of the crank pin 35a and roller 3411 which operate the actuating bolt 21a, Thus, the movement of the bolt and its housing [3a from one pair of vertically-superimposed pumps to the next always takes place at the same phase in the cycle of operation of the bolt, and this relationship is so adjusted that the rotation of the housing 13a and bolt 21a always starts just before the inward stroke of the bolt (corresponding to the suction stroke of one pair of pump plungers) is completed and finishes just afterthe' outward stroke (corresponding to the delivery stroke of the next pair of pump plungers) has begun and when the end of the bolt is withdrawn substantially flush with the cylindrical surface of the housing as previously explained.

It will "be appreciated that modifications of this planetary mechanism are possible, for example, the planet wheel '80 might be mounted on a fixed spindle projecting vertically downwardly from the partition 2A and the spur ring 11 might be operatively connected to the operating shaft I5A and therebyto the plunger-actuating bolt housing I3A.

It will be realised that in this modification the bolt housing will be intermittently rotated from one plunger-actuating position to the next in a direction opposite to that of the rotation of the operating shaft, but there is no objection to this.

1. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said driving member, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and recinroca'ble plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to move said plunger actuating member successively into each of its plunger actuating positions in each of which its turning movement is temporarily stopped andin each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plun er actuating member thereby tocause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

2. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said driving member, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger recipro cable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to move said plunger actuatin'g member successively into each of its plunger actuating positions in each of which its turning movement is temporarily stopped and in each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means including means connected to and continuously driven by said driving member for reciprocating said plunger actuating member thereby 'to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

3. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality or radially directed, circumf'erentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said any ing member, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an out-- let and having a pump plunger reciproc able "in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a tunable and reciprocable acts ating member for actuating said pump plunge'r's, an indexing mechanism operated by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuacting member for intermittently turning said actuating member to successive positions in each of which said actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereaiter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

4. A multiple element pump of the radialtype including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said driving member, said pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a housing turnab-ly arranged relative to said pump elements on said axis of rotation, a plunger actuating member carried by said housing and mounted for reciprocation therein, means driven by said driving member and connected to said housing for intermittently turning said housing and said plunger actuating member, to successive positions in each of which said actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member in said housing thereby to cause said plunger to carryout its discharge and suction strokes Whereafter said housing is turned so that said plunger actuat ii'lg member faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

5 A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality of radially directed. Circumferentially'spaced individual pump element's arranged about the axis of rotation of said driving member, each pump element including mean's 'forming' a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprm cable fin said cylinder and adapted to control the entr'yofr'grease into and the discharge of grease rrom said cylinder, a housing turnably arranged relative to said pump elements on said axis of rotation, a plunger actuating member carried by said housing and mounted for reciprocation therein, an indexing mechanism operated by said driving member and connected to said housing for intermittently turning said housing and said plunger actuating member to successive positions in each of which said actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and crank means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuatin'g'member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member in said housing thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said housing is turned so that said plunger actuating member faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

6. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving shaft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said shaft, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control th entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a plunger actuating member, guide means for said plunger actuating member and in which the latter is mounted for reciprocation, means connected to said guide means for intermittently turning said guide means and said plunger actuating member to successive positions in each of which said actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, said means including a motion initiating member rotatable with said shaft and adapted to actuate said means on each revolution of said shaft, and other means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said actuating member upon. each revolution of said shaft thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said guide means is turned so that said plunger actuating member faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

, '7. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving shaft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said shaft, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a plunger actuatingmember, guide means for said plunger actuating member and in which the latter is mounted for reciprocation, means connected to said guide means for intermittently turning said guid means and said plunger actuating member to successive positions in each of which said actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, means for retaining said guide means and said plunger actuating member in said positions, said turning means including a motion initiating member rotatable with said shaft and adapted to overcome the effect of said retaining means and to actuate said turning means on each revolution of said shaft, and other means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said actuating member upon each revolution of said shaft thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said guide means is turned so that said plunger actuating member faces the succeeding pump elements to repeat the cycle of operation.

8. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving shaft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said shaft, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry'of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a plunger actuating member, guide means for said plunger actuating member and in which the latter is mounted for reciprocation, means connected to said guide means and adapted to turn said guide means the distance between adjacent circumferentially spaced pump elements, a motion initiating member rotatable with said shaft and engageable with said means to actuate said means to advance said guide means, a fixed ratchet wheel having a notch for each circumferentially spaced pump element, a locking member carried by said means and adapted to engage in successive notches to retain said guide means in each position between movements initiated by said motion initiating member, whereby said guide means is intermittently turned to successive positions in each of which said plunger actuating member is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said actuating member upon each revolution of said shaft thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said guide mean is turned so that said plunger actuating member faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

9. A multiple element pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rotatable driving member comprises a rotatable shaft, and including means for a driving said shaft including a reduction gearing.

' including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and havin a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plunger, said actuating member being turnable about said common axis, means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to turn said plunger actuating member successively into each of it plunger arctuating positions in each of "which its turning movement is temporarily stopped and in each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means including mean connected to and continuouslydriven by said shaft for reciprocating said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

11. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving member, a plurality of radially directed individrual mump elements, :said *pump :elements .being amnged in :circumferentially :spaced .sets :of at least two elements arranged about :a common axis,:each pump-elementincluding means formingacylinder :having an inlet and an cutlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and iadapted'fto control the entry :of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump ,plungers, means driven by said driving member and .connected to said plunger actuating member to turn said plunger-actuatingmember successively into eachof .its plunger actuating-positions in each of which .its turning movement .is temporarily stopped and in each of which it is aligned with the pump plungers of one set of pump elements, and other means driven by said driving member and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plungers to carry out their discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding set of pump elements to repeat the cycle of operation.

12. A multiple element pump as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said plunger actuating member into its successive positions comprises an indexing mechanism of the planetary type.

13. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving raft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentlally spaced individual pump elements arranged about a common axis, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in aid cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, a turnable carrier means in which said plunger actuating member is mounted, a planet pinion carried by and turnable with said carrier means, a fixed toothed ring in engagement with said pinion, a rotatable annular driving member connected to said shaft, said annular driving member having a toothed sector adapted to engage and rotate said planet pinion thereby to turn said carrier means and said plunger actuating member whereby said plunger actuating member is brought into successive positions in each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

14. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving shaft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said shaft, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, a turnable carrier means in which said plunger actuating member is mounted, a rotatably mounted .toothedsector seas to prevent inadvertent turning of 'saidtplunger actuating-member, and'means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operaion. Y

15. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a rotatable driving shaft, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements arranged about the axis of rotation of said shaft, each pump element including means forming a cylinder having an inlet and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, a turnable carrier means in which said plunger actuating member is mounted, a rotatably mounted planet pinion carried by and turnable with said carrier means, a fixed toothed ring in permanent engagement with said pinion and about which said pinion is turned, a rotatable annular driving member connected to said shaft, said anular driving member having a toothed sector adapted to engage and rotate said planet pinion thereby to turn said carrier means and said plunger actuating member whereby said plunger actuating member is brought into successive positions in each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, said annular driving member having a smooth inner circumferential surface between the outer ends of said sector, said pinion having a portion provided with less than a full complement of teeth for engagement with said smooth surface to lock said pinion against rotation excent by said sector, and means driven by said shaft and connected to said plunger actuating member to reciprocate said plunger actuating member thereby to cause said plunger to carry out its discharge and suction strokes whereafter said plunger actuating member is turned so that it faces the succeeding pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

16. A multiple element pump of the radial type including in combination a main pump casing, a partition dividing said casing into a pump chamber and a mechanism chamber, a plurality of radially directed, circumferentially spaced individual pump elements mounted in said housing in said pump chamber about a common axis, each pump element comprising means forming a cylinder having an inlet communicating with said pump chamber and an outlet and having a pump plunger reciprocable in said cylinder and adapted to control the entry of'grease into and the discharge of grease from said cylinder, a turnable and reciprocable plunger actuating member for actuating said pump plungers, said plunger actuating member being mounted within said pump chamber, a driving member rotatably mounted in said mechanism chamber, means driven by said driving member and having a part rotatably projecting through said partition and sealed thereagainst and connected to said plunger actuating member to turn said plunger actuating member successively into each of its plunger actuating positions in each of which its turning movement 10 is temporarily stopped and in each of which it is aligned with at least one pump plunger, and other means driven by said driving member and projecting into said pump chamber for connection with said plunger actuating member to recipro- 15 2,371,054

5 pump element to repeat the cycle of operation.

CAMJLLE CLARE SPRANKLING LE CLAIR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this 'patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Le Clair Mar. 6, 1945 Number 

